The Vallecaucana’s Journey: Miss Universe and the Art of Not Placing
Oh, where do I start? The Miss Universe pageant held on November 16 in the vibrant land of tacos and tequila, Mexico, was an event filled with glitz, glamour, and… heartbreak for certain contestants.
This time, Colombia’s very own Daniela Toloza strut into the spotlight prepared to sashay her way to glory, but alas! She didn’t even manage to find a spot in the top 30. Talk about a
beauty pageant plot twist!
“We stand tall before the universe, Colombia!” – Daniela Toloza
Dressed to the nines in a divine white dress that could make even Cinderella jealous, Daniela donned a sweetheart neckline and 3D-style sleeves adorned with rhinestones.
Smoky and dreamy, she certainly looked like she belonged in a fairy tale. But that fairy tale had some unexpected twists—hint, none of those involved being crowned.
The Fans Share Their Thoughts
After the competition, our queen didn’t abandon hope. In a touching video clip that can warm even the coldest hearts (sorry, winter – you’re outdone!), Daniela thanked her fans, stating,
“I love them, I love them, thanks to my Valle del Cauca, I represented them with my heart.”
Qualifying for the finals? Nah, there was no need, apparently! Who needs a crown when you have a heart, right?
Now, it seems some spectators weren’t entirely convinced by Daniela’s cheery outlook. Online comments were flying around like confetti at a wedding, with one fan musing:
“Not even Tocuyo won because we were never favorites”! Ouch!
What’s the Secret Sauce?
Despite not clutching the crown, Toloza shared her secret in a candid interview with RCN Channel—her divine connection with
the almighty, seemingly made of equal parts faith, a sprinkle of meditation, and a touch of beauty. “Ask God to give me that fortitude and that aura…” she proclaimed. Well,
I guess that’s one way to make it to the catwalk! Does God attend every pageant? Seriously, I want to know.
Beauty Beyond the Crown
Ah, but let’s not forget the wisdom she shared. Daniela emphasized that beauty is more than skin deep, it’s about connection, empathy, and leaving a transformative mark.
She described true beauty as the acceptance of oneself—quite the revelation! So, all you who think a flawless face is the key, think twice!
“True beauty would be defined in acceptance,” said Toloza, “When you accept yourself… the banal takes a backseat.” Enough to make you grab a mirror and start complimenting yourself, isn’t it?
The Final Thoughts
So here we are, folks. A night filled with shimmering dreams turned slightly cloudy for our dear Colombian princess. But as they say in showbiz, “You win some, you lose some.” Daniela Toloza may not have secured the Miss Universe crown this time, but she’s left us with some real food for thought (and a fabulous fashion moment!). Perhaps next year, as she said, we shall “win!”
On the night of November 16, the prestigious Miss Universe competition took place in the vibrant heart of Mexico, where Colombia’s representative, Daniela Toloza, unfortunately did not secure a position in the final rankings. Crowned in June 2024, Toloza had proudly donned the title as the face of her coffee-producing nation and boasted an impressive qualifying streak that linked her to her fellow beauty queens from previous years.
Dressed in an exquisite outfit that she planned to showcase on the final night, Toloza shared a moving message with her loyal followers after exiting the pageant. In a stunning veiled white dress adorned with a sweetheart neckline and intricately designed 3D style sleeves embellished with rhinestones, she conveyed her feelings, stating: “We stand tall before the universe, Colombia!”, and added a heart emoji with a bandage.
The Colombian beauty, considered one of the strongest competitors from Latin America in the Miss Universe pageant, relished the chance to wear an evening gown crafted by renowned Colombian designer Fernando Marín. His meticulous attention to detail was evident in the stunning creation that aimed to accentuate Toloza’s figure against the imposing backdrop of the Mexican stage. In this competitive arena, fans were eager to share their thoughts and experiences as they encountered her in the hallways surrounding the CDMX Arena.
In a brief yet poignant video, Toloza expressed her deep gratitude towards her supporters, acknowledging the overwhelming backing she felt throughout the contest. She emphasized her pride in representing her home region of Valle del Cauca, passionately stating, “I love them, I love them, thanks to my Valle del Cauca, I represented them with my heart. “We came very far, we didn’t lose anything, we won!” Despite missing the crown, her assertion resonated that participation itself was a significant triumph.
These remarks sparked a wave of mixed reactions among her followers on social media. Some questioned her declaration of having come far, with comments such as: “Not even Tocuyo won because we were never favorites”; “that next time they choose her with time to prepare, in the preliminary she did not know what to do”; “They were so sure that something was going to happen, that they did not notice small errors,” reflecting the divided sentiments among her fans.
Though not crowned Miss Universe, Toloza shared insights during an interview with the RCN Channel, revealing her secret to success on the catwalk. She attributed her confidence to a profound connection with God, stating that her pre-show routine includes prayer and meditation to achieve mental clarity: “Ask God to give me that fortitude and that aura so that everyone notices it on the catwalk.”
Toloza further emphasized the depth of being a queen, articulating that true royalty encompasses more than just outward beauty; it also involves empathy and meaningful connections with communities. She views her role as a chance to travel to diverse territories and spread messages of transformation and hope.
As part of her comprehensive preparation, Daniela had been featured on the popular program At home with Telemundo, where she was asked: “How would you define true beauty and what role does it play in self-esteem?” With impressive eloquence, Toloza responded, “True beauty would be defined in acceptance. When you accept yourself and know that you are worth what you have inside… the banal takes a backseat. And of course, self-esteem improves because it is the perception you have of yourself.”
What were the biggest lessons you learned from your experience at Miss Universe that you plan to apply in your future endeavors?
**Interview with Daniela Toloza: The Vallecaucana’s Journey After Miss Universe**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Daniela! It’s great to have you here. Let’s start with the Miss Universe competition. How did it feel stepping onto that grand stage?
**Daniela Toloza:** Thank you for having me! It was surreal. Standing there, representing my beautiful country Colombia and our amazing Valle del Cauca, filled me with an indescribable sense of pride. The energy of the crowd was electric, and I cherished every moment!
**Interviewer:** Even though you didn’t make the top 30, you seemed to handle it with a lot of grace. Can you share what was going through your mind right after the event?
**Daniela:** Honestly, I felt a mix of emotions. Of course, there was disappointment, but I also felt gratitude. I had the chance to connect with people from all over the world and share my story. I truly believe that just being there is a victory in itself.
**Interviewer:** You emphasized the idea of beauty as more than skin deep. Can you elaborate on what true beauty means to you?
**Daniela:** Absolutely! True beauty is about embracing oneself and understanding that our worth isn’t determined by a crown or a title. It’s about empathy, connection, and the impact we leave on others. When you accept yourself, the superficial matters much less.
**Interviewer:** After the competition, you shared a heartfelt message with your fans. What did it mean to you to receive such support from them?
**Daniela:** My fans mean the world to me. Their encouragement lifts me up and reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. When I said, “We came very far, we didn’t lose anything, we won,” I meant it. Every experience shapes us and brings us closer to our true selves.
**Interviewer:** What’s next on your journey, and how do you plan to continue spreading your message of beauty and self-acceptance?
**Daniela:** I’m excited for what the future holds! I plan to continue advocating for beauty beyond appearances and empowering young women to embrace who they are. I wish to participate in outreach programs and use my platform positively. There’s so much work to be done!
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredible! One last question—in the fashion department, your dress was stunning! Who was the designer, and how did you feel wearing it on stage?
**Daniela:** Thank you! I wore an exquisite gown designed by Fernando Marín. His craftsmanship brought my vision to life, and wearing that dress made me feel like a queen, no matter the outcome of the competition.
**Interviewer:** Daniela, thank you for sharing your inspiring journey with us today. We look forward to following your future endeavors!
**Daniela:** Thank you! I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect and share my story. Let’s keep celebrating beauty in all its forms!
